Structural and binding studies of SAP-1 protein with heparin.

SAP-1 is a low molecular weight cysteine protease inhibitor (CPI) which belongs to type-2 cystatins family. SAP-1 protein purified from human seminal plasma (HuSP) has been shown to inhibit cysteine and serine proteases and exhibit interesting biological properties, including high temperature and pH stability. Heparin is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan (with varied chain length) which interacts with a number of proteins and regulates multiple steps in different biological processes.

Urinary metabolomics for noninvasive detection of borderline and acute T cell-mediated rejection in children after kidney transplantation.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the utility of urinary metabolomics for noninvasive diagnosis of T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. Urine samples (n = 277) from 57 patients with surveillance or indication kidney biopsies were assayed for 134 unique metabolites by quantitative mass spectrometry. Samples without TCMR (n = 183) were compared to borderline tubulitis (n = 54) and TCMR (n = 30).

No correlation between TIMP2 -418 G>C polymorphism and increased risk of cancer: evidence from a meta-analysis.

Aim: Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP2) is involved in the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and shown to implicate in cancer development and progression. The results from the published studies based on the association between TIMP2 -418 G>C polymorphism and cancer risk are inconsistent. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the potential association between TIMP2 -418 G>C polymorphism and cancer risk.

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles for staining human cervical cancer cells and DNA binding assay.

Gold nanoparticles have been functionalized by non-ionic surfactants (polysorbates) used in pharmaceutical formulations. This results in the formation of more well-dispersed gold nanoparticles (GNPs) than the GNPs formed in neat water. The synthesized GNPs show good temporal stability.

Genetic variation of TBX21 gene increases risk of asthma and its severity in Indian children.

T-box transcription factor protein (TBX21) is encoded by the TBX21 gene in human. It is crucial for naive T lymphocyte development, interferon-γ production, airway hyperresponsiveness and regulation of corticosteroid response in asthmatics. Polymorphisms rs4794067 and rs16947078 of TBX21 were found to be associated with acetylsalicylic acid-induced and allergic asthma, respectively.

High throughput screen identifies small molecule inhibitors specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis phosphoserine phosphatase.

The emergence of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis makes identification and validation of newer drug targets a global priority. Phosphoserine phosphatase (PSP), a key essential metabolic enzyme involved in conversion of O-phospho-l-serine to l-serine, was characterized in this study. The M.

Improving the efficiency of transposon mutagenesis in Salmonella enteritidis by overcoming host-restriction barriers.

Transposon mutagenesis using transposome complex is a powerful method for functional genomics analysis in diverse bacteria by creating a large number of random mutants to prepare a genome-saturating mutant library. However, strong host restriction barriers can lead to limitations with species- or strain-specific restriction-modification systems. The purpose of this study was to enhance the transposon mutagenesis efficiency of Salmonella Enteritidis to generate a larger number of random insertion mutants.

Jejunogastric intussusception--a rare variety of intussusception.

Jejunogastric intussesception is a rare entity in surgical practice. Here a case of a middle aged male patient is reported who was admitted with pain abdomen, vomiting and constipation with surgical history of gastrojejunostomy 22 years back and found to have jejunogastric intussesception. Still now nearly 200 cases have been reported in the literature.

Disseminated giant porokeratosis and porokeratosis of Mibelli in Bankura and Bardhaman districts, West Bengal, India.

Porokeratosis of Mibelli (PM) is a rare genodermatosis. It is caused by proliferation of abnormal clones of epidermal cells in response to several stimuli, the most important of which is sunlight. Giant porokeratosis is thought to be a variant of PM.

No evidence of correlation between p53 codon 72 G > C gene polymorphism and cancer risk in Indian population: a meta-analysis.

p53 is a tumor suppressor gene, which is activated in response to several forms of cellular stress and exerts multiple antiproliferative functions, making it the most frequent target for genetic alteration in cancer. Various studies have evaluated the association between p53 codon 72 G > C (rs1042522) polymorphism and risk of cancer. However, results from the published studies remained inconclusive.

Complete transection of common bile duct after blunt trauma abdomen--a case report.

Isolated injury to the extrahepatic biliary system after blunt trauma is rare, Complete transection of the common bile duct is also a rare entity. Here a case of a 45-year-old male admitted with the history of blunt trauma abdomen with features of peritonitis and jaundice, found to have complete transection of common bile duct and there was no other visceral injury is reported. Cases of isolated complete transection of common bile duct in blunt trauma abdomen are rarely reported in the literature.

Significance of impaired serum gelatinases activities in metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: A consortium of metabolic risk factors accelerate the onset of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. Proteolytic enzymes like matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are regulated by a group of endogenous proteins called tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP). These TIMPs binds to active and alternate sites of activated MMPs and facilitate regulation.

Evaluating the association between p53 codon 72 Arg>pro polymorphism and risk of ovary cancer: a meta-analysis.

Aim: Allelic polymorphism in codon 72 of the p53 tumor suppressor gene causes imbalance of p53 protein expression. Earlier studies have shown association between allelic polymorphism in codon 72 of the p53 gene with risk of ovary cancer (OC); however the results are inconclusive and conflicting. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to investigate the relation between p53 codon 72 Arg>Pro polymorphism and overall OC susceptibility.

Top-down proteomics with mass spectrometry imaging: a pilot study towards discovery of biomarkers for neurodevelopmental disorders.

In the developing mammalian brain, inhibition of NMDA receptor can induce widespread neuroapoptosis, inhibit neurogenesis and cause impairment of learning and memory. Although some mechanistic insights into adverse neurological actions of these NMDA receptor antagonists exist, our understanding of the full spectrum of developmental events affected by early exposure to these chemical agents in the brain is still limited. Here we attempt to gain insights into the impact of pharmacologically induced excitatory/inhibitory imbalance in infancy on the brain proteome using mass spectrometric imaging (MSI).

Metabolomic prediction of fetal congenital heart defect in the first trimester.

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify metabolomic markers in maternal first-trimester serum for the detection of fetal congenital heart defects (CHDs).

Study Design: Mass spectrometry (direct injection/liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry-based metabolomic analyses were performed between 11 weeks' and 13 weeks 6 days' gestation on maternal serum. A total of 27 CHD cases and 59 controls were compared.

Disseminated Cutaneous Histoplasmosis, an Initial Manifestation of HIV, Diagnosed with Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology.

Acute progressive disseminated histoplasmosis (PDH) may be the initial manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, cutaneous involvement is very rare. We present an unusual case of acute PDH with multiple diffuse cutaneous papulonodular lesions predominantly on the face, trunk, and upper extremities, diagnosed initially with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).

Genetic variants of NQO1 gene increase bladder cancer risk in Indian population and meta-analysis.

quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) is cytosolic enzymes that plays a role in protection against natural and xenobiotic quinones. This enzyme also protects cells from oxidative damage by preventing the generation of reactive oxygen species and reducing environmental carcinogens. The study included 200 bladder cancer (BC) patients and 200 healthy control individuals that had been matched by age and sex, and were of similar ethnicity.

PONV in Ambulatory surgery: A comparison between Ramosetron and Ondansetron: a prospective, double-blinded, and randomized controlled study.

Background: postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) frequently hampers implementation of ambulatory surgery in spite of so many antiemetic drugs and regimens.

Aims: the study was carried out to compare the efficacy of Ramosetron and Ondansetron in preventing PONV after ambulatory surgery.

Setting And Design: it was a prospective, double blinded, and randomized controlled study.

Coherence scanning interferometry: measurement and correction of three-dimensional transfer and point-spread characteristics.

When applied to the measurement of smooth surfaces, coherence scanning interferometry can be described by a three-dimensional linear filtering operation that is characterized either by the point-spread function in the space domain or equivalently by the transfer function (TF) in the spatial frequency domain. For an ideal, aberration-free instrument, these characteristics are defined uniquely by the numerical aperture of the objective lens and the bandwidth of the illumination source. In practice, however, physical imperfections such as those in lens aberrations, reference focus, and source alignment mean that the instrument performance is not ideal.

Identification of predictive biomarkers of disease state in transition dairy cows.

In dairy cows, periparturient disease states, such as metritis, mastitis, and laminitis, are leading to increasingly significant economic losses for the dairy industry. Treatments for these pathologies are often expensive, ineffective, or not cost-efficient, leading to production losses, high veterinary bills, or early culling of the cows. Early diagnosis or detection of these conditions before they manifest themselves could lower their incidence, level of morbidity, and the associated economic losses.

Spatial distribution of P. argentipes in association with agricultural surrounding environment in North Bihar, India.

Introduction: Phlebotomus argentipes is considered to be one of the major control measure targets in eradicating visceral leishmaniasis (VL). This study demonstrates the spatial association of P. argentipes abundance in relation to agricultural environment in the endemic area of north Bihar.

Sequence and 3D structure based analysis of TNT degrading proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana.

TNT, accidentally released at several manufacturing sites, contaminates ground water and soil. It has a toxic effect to algae and invertebrate, and chronic exposure to TNT also causes harmful effects to human. On the other hand, many plants including Arabidopsis thaliana have the ability to metabolize TNT either completely or at least to a reduced less toxic form.

Vitamin D receptor ApaI gene polymorphism and tuberculosis susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

Aim: Vitamin D performs its actions through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which acts as a transcriptional factor. Many case-control studies have been performed in the past to elucidate the association of the ApaI polymorphism of VDR gene and the risk of tuberculosis (TB). However, these studies have shown inconsistent and conflicting results.